Hey you poetry maestros, if I am going to start reading up about poetry, what books would you recommend? The only book about poetry that I have on my shelves is called Archetypal Patterns in Poetry by someone called Bodkin, which I haven't read it yet and which strikes me as a mite specialised for someone who's just wading in.

I've found Writing Poetry by John Hartley Williams and Matthew Sweeney from the Teach Yourself series invaluable. Lots of great exercises too, some of which we've done/are doing in the Poetry Seminar.

Nell.

Thank you, Nell. I'll go have a look on Amazon.

There's also "You Can Write Poetry" by Jeff Mock [Writer's Digest Books - ISBN 0898798256] & I picked this up in my local library.
Apart from books outlining the basics, the best way to learn about poetry is to read published poets, both old and new. Then go read the Archives and Random Read on this site and compare them to the known poets. You'll soon get an idea of what's there, what's lacking, and what could be improved.

Paul - what do you think of the Jeff Mock book?

anis - I think there's still a great deal to be said in favour of Francis Stillman's 'Poet's Handbook and Rhymimg Dictionary'; it's not perhaps bang up to the minute, but, it covers every major style of poem, explaining the form and the 'how to', citing zillions of useful examples & a really very handy dictionary to boot! Seven Types of Ambiguity by Empson (?) is stilla classic. I'd also very strongly recommend Michael Schmidt's Lives Of The Poets, which is an astonishing overview of poetry - not just Western - from the dawn of scribbling up to the present day. 'Nuff for now!


Mike

Well worth a read, just to understand the terminology.

Between you and me, I read through it and made a few pages of notes because I'd been concentrating on my epic & incomprehensible novels for so long that I'd forgotten a lot of the terms, which isn't good if you're hosting a poetry group. Beginners might not notice, but those who've been penning verse for years would.

I'm old fashioned. Like passing your driving test, I believe in learning the rules before you bend or break them. Having said that, however, the best way to learn - as I've said elsewhere - is to pen a piece and then read it out loud to yourself. Poetry is to be heard, not read. If it goes clunk, you have to repair that particular bit; if it flows, you're probably three-quarters to getting it right even if you don't know your dactyl from your anapest.

Don't get bogged down with the terminology, but look upon it [the driving analogy again] as knowing basic mechanics: you might never need it, but you'll drive [write poetry] with more confidence.

just read poetry and let your spirit flow into your words. By reading others poetry you will learn from their style and begin to experience the emotion that the poet has put into words.

Your technique will develop in your own style and not become a copy of someone else's

enjoy the trip you will find youself enthralled and mystified, excited and saddened but it is a journey worth taking

take care

david

Thanks for all the books recommended - some very interesting titles among those - as well as for other suggestions. You've all been a real help!